It's not every day that I have a great opportunity to share my experiences with people I respect and care for - and around 5 years ago, I had a great story to tell that for some, changed their perspective on how teamwork isn't about laying fault, but looking at yourself in how you can make everyone succeed.
Having spent over 10 years in the Canadian Army Signals (Reserve and Regular), I had the privilege to teach Basic Training to Canada's newest and brightest back in the summer of 1995. One of the biggest learning points for these young kids was the concept of teamwork - but not your typical corporate project team framework (that's another story for another day). What the military is about is ensuring you not only take care of yourself but ensure your peers are at the same level as well.
The second week of training starts and that Monday on the parade square for practice drills and it starts to rain. We order the troops to don their raingear, but unfortunately, Private Smith forgot his raincoat. I, with a nod from our troop commander who was also assisting me that morning, order everyone to put away our raingear. Everyone started to complain and I silenced it with a story. Even the troop commander and I put away our raingear.
As we were all standing in the pouring rain, the smarty-pants of the group came to the 'prove' position - a move which indicates a question when you're in troop drill formation. "Why must we all put away our rain gear Master Corporal? It was only Smith who forgot his." At this comment, everyone in the troop glared at Smith.
"Well, Private Paulin" I explained to everyone, "you have failed Private Smith - in fact, everyone has failed Private Smith." A confused look when over the troop faces - I continued', "Imagine you're on a patrol and you forget to take along drinking water. Now, everyone has to share water with you. Or if you forget to pack a change of socks, extra ammo, a cleaning kit for your rifle? What implications does it have for the rest of your troop? Did you ever hear of the proverb of the want of a nail? The story of the messenger who didn't get to the King?" I asked.
"No Master Corporal," they replied in unison.
I explained loudly,
"For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse, the rider was lost. For want of a rider, the battle was lost. For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
...and how different is a raincoat to a nail Paulin?" I asked softly standing directly in front of her in the formation.
She paused for around 10 seconds, and I could see the light not only go on in her eyes but of the entire troop. She replied, "I understand Master Corporal."
I continued, "Folks, you are not an army of one, but an army of we. We. Before you go anywhere, ensure you all have your raincoat packed before start of a parade. You all need to rely on one another because there will come a time that you many need that raincoat - and when I say RAINCOAT, I'm not necessarily talking about raincoats - do you all understand?"
In unison, the troops shouted. "Yes, Master Corporal."
From that point forward, for every patrol, for every parade, for every activity, the troops were a team. They were always checking over everyone else before every activity - and to my surprise, they developed a buddy system where they paired off and would check each other's gear before any outing to ensure it was functional and the right equipment was being taken. Friendships were hardened that summer as they began to understand the concept of "We the people", teamwork and partnership.
All for the want of a raincoat.
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